Jim Hacker pulling a funny face in an outtake.

Been watching Armando Iannucci's hour-long 2004 campaign to vote Yes Minister as Britain's Best Sitcom. A pity the nature of it - getting people to take part in a phone vote - makes it hard to repeat now, but at least (a) it's on YouTube, and (b) it means I could grab this potential reaction meme.

Remembering Ray Reardon, born this day in 1932.

Psst. Genome's working right now.

I love that there was one week in UK chart history where Destiny’s Child were outsold by the theme tune to ITV’s World Cup coverage #totp

Just found this pic of Frank Oz rather gleefully fisting Fozzie Bear in front of Lew Grade. Enjoy.

Top of the Pops (7th October 1982). Kid Creole and the Coconuts open the show with 'Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy'.

Peter Egan looking like the baddest motherfucker in lilac. #CallMyBluff

Gordon Brown never really said he was an Arctics fan. According to Damian McBride was asked to choose between them and Coldplay and went with the Arctics as were louder and was told Coldplay were "probably Tories".

Fun fact: the first ever person to choose Madonna on Desert Island Discs was Michael Portillo. (‘La Isla Bonita’)

A quite insane tour schedule

This is the maddest tour I've ever seen in my life. It seems like he's doing more gigs than there are days in the year.

The producer of this documentary, Paul Bonner, not only did sound effects on the Goon Show in his early career, but went on to be one of the founders of Channel 4.

An Inspector Calls (6th October 1981). Bernard Hepton headed the cast of this BBC Schools production, which received a primetime BBC1 repeat slot the following year.

The complex world of Japanese TV A professor of mass communications in Japan takes a look at how television is developing in his country

The complex world of Japanese TV (1967)

A professor of mass communications in Japan takes a look at how television is developing in his country

YouTube video by vintageTVads asda 1980 advert

The wonderful Hattie Jacques left us on this day in 1980. This advert is probably the last thing she ever recorded.

Jilly Cooper is lovely.

At my parents' watching Strictly and when Thomas's dance finished my mum said without missing a beat "ALRIGHT, BYE!" #strictly

Colin Hunt from The Fast Show

One of my neighbours has altered the badge on their car to read Land Raver.

BBC Four - Schedules This is the daily broadcast schedule for BBC Four

An excellent night on BBC Four tonight, with several examples of early BBC programming for the South Asian community: www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p0...

A club statement from Blackpool saying Steve Bruce has been sacked along with coaches Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence. Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks will take temporary charge.

You don’t have to be called Steve or Stephen to work at Blackpool, but it does help.

BBC1 91-97 era 5.35 Short Circuit 7.10 Confessions 7.50 National Lottery Live 8.10 Casualty National Lottery Update 9.00 The Fix

BBC One 97-02 era 5.35 Short Circuit 7.10 Confessions 7.50 National Lottery Live 8.10 Casualty National Lottery Update 9.00 The Fix

For the proper tv presentation geeks

Here's two TV schedules for the same day, 4 October 1997 but one shown during the virtual era and one during the new balloon era.

BBC1 Balloon

BBC1 Balloon

BBC1 Balloon

BBC1 Balloon

#OnThisDay 1997 : The BBC One balloon took its maiden journey across the skies of the UK. The balloon sequences lasted until 2002.

#90s

I always will #scd #strictly

La Voix dog walking Aljaz

Kink Week isn't dead! #scd #strictly

YouTube video by BBC Archive 1977: Johnny Ball and the Wonder of Numbers | Think of a Number | BBC Archive

Just uploaded to the BBC Archive channel - the first edition of Think of a Number.

youtu.be/z30YWqAJAm4?...

Arthur Negus looking to the left. A teapot looking to the right.

Your own
personal
Negus,
Someone to look at your wares
Someone who cares.

YouTube video by Des and Mick - TV & Radio BBC1 idents 1997-2000

Happy 28th. Long gone, never forgotten. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAk9...

YouTube video by The Sundays - Topic Goodbye

On last night’s #TOTP from 1992 but only in the breakers section

Pop fact: Ol’ Dirty Bastard came up with his stage name after watching episodes of #TOTP from the 70s on Friday nights

Here's Patricia Routledge being given a Tony Award for Beat Actress In A Musical, which she won in a tie with Leslie Uggams, by Groucho Marx.